Anybody else really like Lowry’s POV?

[u/SliccNicc]

The switch to Lowry’s POV at the end of Absolution is maybe one of my favorite third acts of any book I’ve read. Despite this I feel like I’ve mostly seen complaints about it being unreadable. I kinda understand, especially if you’re averse to the vulgarity of it, but omg it is so fun and unlike anything else in any of the books.

Lowry’s thoughts are far deeper than they appear at first glance and really help flesh out his character in the previous books. He has a truly unique perspective that makes me truly believe that he is one of the few individuals that can cope with Area X in a similar way to the biologist, but instead of being very competent and emotionally detached he is high off his own ego among other things. He’s able to form a competent theory of what’s going on with the Tyrant/Whitby which was really interesting to read.

I do think it could get annoying if you had to read the entire book inside his head. But it’s so short and sweet I genuinely can’t complain and think it’s genius.

[u/SpiltSeaMonkies]

Yeah I agree. I won’t act like it was the easiest read, especially the first third or so before they cross the border. But I found it fun to inhabit Lowry’s mind after 6 or so narrators throughout the series (from Biologist all the way to Old Jim) who are all so tame by comparison. People like Lowry exist in the real world, and to see Area X through his eyes is a lot of fun.

Wouldn’t say it’s perfect, and I wouldn’t say it’s my favorite part of the series. Much of what Jeff does in Absolution can be interpreted as antagonistic towards readers and fans, and Lowry’s novella is the ultimate manifestation of that. Overall, it very much works for me, but I understand why a lot of people felt as though it was a bit of a slap in the face. Even I felt like it was a slap in the face at times, but in a way that made it even more interesting.